A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Where Women Go

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  8w, 2m

Where Women Go is a set of three short one-acts for a diverse cast of women of various ages. Tina Howe’s eccentric plays explore the humor and absurdity of women's daily lives as they visit the dermatologist, eat at Subway and go shopping.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Where Women Go is a series of three short one-acts for a diverse cast of women of various ages. Tina Howe’s eccentric plays explore the humor and absurdity of women's daily lives as they visit the dermatologist, eat at Subway and go shopping.

To the Dermatologist (7f, 1m voice, Comedy) – It’s 2021 at Your Reflections Dermatology office, and Zilla learns that the growth on her legs is lichen planus, a type of algae that develops into something more akin to spices and vegetables. One year later, the dermatology office, now transformed into “Spicy Zilla’s Café,” is selling Zilla’s leg spices by the bottle. To the Dermatologist explores the relationship between patients, their partners, health care staff and diagnosis.

To Subway (5f, Comedy) – Hannah, a regular at her local Subway sandwich shop, brings her reluctant friend Clara to Subway for the first time. Eager employees Pudding and Sal greet them enthusiastically, but things go awry when actress Alida Valli enters, playing the zither. Finally, Clara settles on her order: a combo of Black Forest eel, rotisserie-style canary and raw eagle legs with a sprinkling of mule ears on the side.

Shopping (8f, 2m, Comedy) – At Ed Singh’s clothing stand on the Upper West Side in 2022 at the height of the COVID pandemic, seven women shop and fight over gloves, earmuffs and other winter wear. Suddenly, a man crashes into the shop wearing a parachute, and everyone finds themselves in heaven.

History
Where Women Go premiered in an industry reading at 59E59 on April 25, 2023. Mounted as a partnership between Concord Theatricals and New York’s newest theatre company, The Tent, Where Women Go was originally commissioned by Concord Theatricals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

To the Dermatologist (7f, 1m voice)

YU YAN – Receptionist (Chinese, 30s-40s)
HONEY GREEN – Receptionist (Black, 30s-40s)
ACTING STUDENT – Exiting patients: Mrs. Goodyear, Meredith and J.T. (Any age and race)
ZILLA GOULD – Patient with burning, spotted lower legs (White, 80s)
MONIKA ISRAEL – Nurse (Black, 30s)
DR. ANN PROCTER – Dermatologist (Black, 20s)
MORRIS GOULD'S VOICE – Zilla’s unseen husband (White, 80s)

To Subway (5f)

PUDDING – Server (Latinx, 30’s)
SAL – Server (African, 30’s)
HANNAH – Dedicated customer (American, 50s)
CLARA – Her reluctant friend (American, 50s)
ALIDA VALLI – Actress from the movie The Third Man (Czech, 40s)

Shopping (8f, 2m)

ED SINGH – Owner of the stand (Egyptian, 50-60s)
KITTY BUCKLE – Playwright (White, 80s)
SANDY WRENCH – Cellist (American, 30s-40s)
BLOSSOM PICK – Plays the recorder (American, 30s-40s)
FREDDIE GONZALES – Plays the guitar (South American woman, 30s-40s)
NAMELESS UNKEMPT MYSTERY WOMAN (Any age from anywhere)
SOPRANO WOMAN WITH EA BEAUTIFUL VOICE (Any age from anywhere)
PENNY HO – High school student (Teenager)
CALLIOPE SNOW – High school student (American, Teenager)
SILENT MAN WEARING A PARACHUTE – Keeps taking the cover-ups off their hangers, lowering his mask to smell them (Any age from anywhere)

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting The Upper West Side of New York City. 2021 and 2022.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Tina Howe

Tina Howe (1937-2023) was a prolific and influential American playwright. Her most produced plays include Birth and After Birth, Museum, The Art of Dining, Painting Churches, Coastal Disturbances, Approaching Zanzibar and Pride’s Crossing. These and other works premiered at t ...

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